In the Waterford SHC Final, Ballygunner secured their 11th Waterford county championship, overcoming Abbeyside Ballinacourty with a 2-28 to 2-10 victory. Leading up to the game, there were expectations that Abbeyside, playing on their home ground at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, could potentially offer a closer competition than in previous years. This was backed by their reputable track record in youth league matches against Ballygunner, and the belief that they could decrease the average winning margin in finals, which had stood at an intimidating 12 points.
However, Ballygunner’s performance in the final surpassed all predictions. They dominated the game with superior control and distribution. Yet, Abbeyside showed fortitude, staging two rallies, one in the first half when they brought the deficit to two points, and another after half-time. These fights were more about controlling the damage than changing the result, however.
After the match, Darragh O’Sullivan, Ballygunner manager, hailed the performance as one of the team’s best to date at the championship. He also made mention of the alternate venue for the county final, Walsh Park, unless two city teams make it to the final and choose otherwise, a situation seen in many recent tournaments.
“It was necessary for us to be here at the heart of the action,” they said, referencing Dungarvan. “We enjoy the journey; the thrill it adds detracts from our comfort zone a tad. Some of our finest performances occur when we’re on the road. It was a challenge, but we’re over the moon with the result and the efforts we put in.
We’ve had some trouble integrating some players after their stint with the Waterford intercounty team due to injuries. We allowed them a longer break. For Philip Mahony, it was his second match; he’s potentially been in training for a mere month or so. Dessie, likewise. But we’re gaining traction, encouraging the lads to spend more time on the field.”
The second-quarter breakdown for Abbeyside initiated when Michael O’Halloran brought their deficit down to two points at the 16-minute mark, the third consecutive score for these challengers. However, Ballygunner then let loose, outperforming them 1-9 to 0-1 to secure a 13-point lead by half-time.
The defending champions were exceptional in this period. Their ability to accurately find teammates allowed for a seamless flow of play, and their precision in shooting sealed the fate for the opponent.
Abbeyside did manage to equal the goal count, spearheaded by two strikes from the captain, Mikey Kiely. Yet, they were left in shambles when it came to the total points. Kevin Mahony was quite the asset, predicting one of the many accurate passes into his corner.
Displaying their dominance with 11 scores out of 12 attempts, the joint-captain Pauric Mahony was declared the official player of the match. However, type co-captain, Conor Sheahan, also played a significant role, controlling midfield and making four shots from the field. Their ability to accurately find their forwards in compromising positions was continuously threatening. The point difference reached six at 0-10 to 0-4, Dessie Hutchinson took control, rejected an easy point, and instead threaded to score the opening goal, marking the close of the match in a sense.”
Stephen O’Keeffe, the goalkeeper, was a key player, contributing a point from his goalie box. Abbeyside entered the second half with increasing optimism and better ball control, backed by favourable wind conditions. Goals were then traded. Lar Power blocked Hutchinson’s goal attempt, but Patrick Fitzgerald rerouted the ricochet and scored the second goal, bring the score to 2-16 to 0-8. Within 60 seconds, O’Keeffe lobbed the ball to Kiely, who was vying with Barry Coughlan to aim for the goal. He succeeded and reduced the half-time deficit by five, backed by a superb point by Conor Prunty.
Their accomplishment was emphasised by seven consecutive points, which essentially sealed the victory. Nevertheless, Kiely managed to score a second goal, skilfully navigating a crowded defence line, but their 14 points deficit, 2-10 to 2-24, proved too much to overcome. Despite not scoring afterwards and earning the last four points, Abbeyside still fell short.
In the coming weeks, Ballygunner will begin their defence of the Munster title, according to O’Sullivan. They are to face the Limerick champions at the Gaelic Grounds, a formidable challenge they gladly welcome.
Final line up for Ballygunner consisted of S O’Keeffe, I Kenny, B Coughlan, T Foley, R Power, Philip Mahony, S O’Sullivan, C Sheahan (joint captain), P Leavy, M Mahony, Pauric Mahony (joint captain), P Hogan, P Fitzgerald, D Hutchinson and K Mahony. Substitutes included C Power, H Ruddle, S Harney, B O’Keeffe, and C Tobin.
The team playing for Abbeyside/Ballinacourty included L Power, S Whelan Barret, C Prunty who scored 0-1, B Looby, J Beresford, D Collins, E McInerney, and M Power who likewise scored 0-1. W Beresford, M O’Halloran who scored 0-5 with 4f, R Walsh, B O’Connell, C Treen who scored 0-2, M Kiely the captain who scored 2-1 with 1-0f, and E Kiely were also there.
Substitutes involved in the game were N Montgomery who replaced E Kiely at the 26th minute, C Foley who came in for McInerney and M Twomey who replaced M Power, both at the 48th minute. E Ahern replaced Walsh at the 52nd minute, and B Callaghan was brought in for O’Halloran at the 56th minute.
The referee of the match was T Walsh from Modeligo.